The first quarter of the year has seen a boom in people coming into the country for business events.  

According to Stats NZ, international delegate arrivals are up 50%, with more than 16 thousand arrivals in the first quarter.  

That translates to more than $54 million into the economy and often represents the first taste of New Zealand for visitors.  

Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking numbers have now reached 96% of pre-Covid levels.  

She says January was exceptional, as there were a number of big conferences during what would usually be a quieter month. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The first quarter of the year has seen a boom in people coming into the country for business events. &nbsp;
According to Stats NZ, international delegate arrivals are up 50%, with more than 16 thousand arrivals in the first quarter. &nbsp;
That translates to more than $54 million into the economy and often represents the first taste of New Zealand for visitors. &nbsp;
Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO Lisa Hopkins told Mike Hosking numbers have now reached 96% of pre-Covid levels. &nbsp;
She says January was exceptional, as there were a number of big conferences during what would usually be a quieter month.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Lisa Hopkins: Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO on the 50% increase in international delegate arrivals in the first quarter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/94b0c0c5-e7ba-4493-8448-b4550157aada/transcript

This past dairy season is all-but-confirmed as record breaking but remaining at those lofty heights will be farmers' next challenge.  

Rabobank expects milk supply to stay elevated into 2026-27, with farmgate prices forecast between $9.50 and $10 per kilogram. 

But rising inflation could squeeze margins. 

Fonterra Co-Operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking in terms of returns, there’s no doubt it’s a good time. 

He says they’ve seen strong milk prices and Fonterra farmers have seen strong returns on their shares, but the thing to look out for are input costs, which are continuing to creep up. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

This past dairy season is all-but-confirmed as record breaking but remaining at those lofty heights will be farmers' next challenge. &nbsp;
Rabobank expects milk supply to stay elevated into 2026-27, with farmgate prices forecast between $9.50 and $10 per kilogram.&nbsp;
But rising inflation could squeeze margins.&nbsp;
Fonterra Co-Operative Council Chair John Stevenson told Mike Hosking in terms of returns, there’s no doubt it’s a good time.&nbsp;
He says they’ve seen strong milk prices and Fonterra farmers have seen strong returns on their shares, but the thing to look out for are input costs, which are continuing to creep up.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

John Stevenson: Fonterra Co-Operative Council Chair on farmgate milk prices forecast to hit between $9.50 and $10

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf6e8772-53e1-4c29-bda9-b4550162c060/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th of May, it's Good News Tuesday as we hear about the new energy transition scheme, the cruise ship season, and the business events industry. 

Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich gives us his economic state of play leading into the Budget and the OCR. 

Netball NZ's new CEO Jennah Wootten explains how she plans to turn the sport around and looks at a broadcast deal. 

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 26th of May, it's Good News Tuesday as we hear about the <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/shane-jones-associate-energy-minister-on-the-governments-12-billion-gas-transition-loan-scheme-for-businesses/">new energy transition scheme</a>, the <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/roger-gray-port-of-auckland-ceo-on-the-3-reduction-in-the-number-of-cruise-ships-coming-into-port-for-the-202627-season/">cruise ship season</a>, and the <a href="https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/mike-hosking-breakfast/audio/lisa-hopkins-business-events-industry-aotearoa-ceo-on-the-50-increase-in-international-delegate-arrivals-in-the-first-quarter/">business events industry</a>.&nbsp;
Kiwibank CEO Steve Jurkovich gives us his economic state of play leading into the Budget and the OCR.&nbsp;
Netball NZ's new CEO Jennah Wootten explains how she plans to turn the sport around and looks at a broadcast deal.&nbsp;
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 26 May 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5583d3b6-8376-4924-aa08-b455015d648e/transcript

The boss of Auckland's port is still upbeat, despite another drop in cruise visits.  

Data released to Newstalk ZB shows a 3% national reduction this season.  

Auckland's dropping by 12%, but Port of Auckland CEO Roger Gray told Mike Hosking he predicts this is rock bottom, and things will pick back up next season.  

He says they've already got 66 bookings secured. 

Cruise visits to the South Island are meanwhile increasing by nearly two dozen. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The boss of Auckland's port is still upbeat, despite another drop in cruise visits. &nbsp;
Data released to Newstalk ZB shows a 3% national reduction this season. &nbsp;
Auckland's dropping by 12%, but Port of Auckland CEO Roger Gray told Mike Hosking he predicts this is rock bottom, and things will pick back up next season. &nbsp;
He says they've already got 66 bookings secured.&nbsp;
Cruise visits to the South Island are meanwhile increasing by nearly two dozen.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Roger Gray: Port of Auckland CEO on the 3% reduction in the number of cruise ships coming into port for the 2026/27 season

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2a5b3b18-b33a-4ca6-9a74-b45501511d2f/transcript

Lisa Hopkins: Business Events Industry Aotearoa CEO on the 50% increase in international delegate arrivals in the first quarter

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